Question: Identify & explain 'global leadership in transition'.

What are the

distinct changes? How does this impact on next generation leadership?
What are some of the requisite 21st century skills for young, potential
global leaders?
Answer:
Before we identify global leadership in transition, we should understand
the meaning of global leadership and the word transition. Transition is
usually defined as the process or a period of changing from one state or
condition to another. Or in another word, change. Therefore, global
leadership in transition can also be rephrased as changing global
leadership. Global leadership, in short, is the leadership process
integrated with a global mindset that could probably have effects on the
global environment. In my opinion, global leadership exists in every era,
but it is a constantly evolving cycle or process that will continue until the
end of the world (if you believe the world will end). Transition, or change,
perhaps, is the only constant, on earth. Hence, leadership is required to
help people in embracing the change. Or, in another perspective,
leadership is required to help initiating a change. However, change is
stereotypically understood as a negative process or phenomena. In fact,
change itself, is a neutral pattern, its positivity or negativity depends on
who started the change, when the change is started, who is the target of
the change, how the change is carried out, and the location of the
change.
In short, from my point of view, the world has eventually evolved from an
Empire, Command and Control mindset to a Global Village mindset.
Basically, it means, previously, nations and states were competing,
waging war among each other to gain more resources, territories and
control of the world. However, currently, the world is on a trend towards
mutual consensus, particularly in topics such as climate change, welfare
of the global community, access to internet, etc. We can also identify
certain significant patterns from this transition, the power of traditional
nation-states is experiencing a steady decline due to the rise in power of
multinational corporations, as suggested by Al Gore, the former vice
president of the United States, in his book The Future. Therefore, it is
vital for governments and traditional nation-states to collaborate with

these multinational corporations in ensuring the welfare of the beings

living on this planet. I believe, certain leaders nowadays should realize
human beings cannot live without each other, without socialization, or in
nowadays term-globalization. Competition is only allowed if it is used for
improving each other, helping each other to identify their mistakes and
fallbacks. As a result, global citizens from this global village will be
benefited from such positive competitions. Of course, global citizens
include global leaders.
In helping to develop global leaders, there is one tool that can be
considered in assessing potential global leaders abilities. Global Mindset
Inventory (GMI) is a tool to identify a managers (leaders) capabilities in
terms of three distinct forms of capital, which are Global Intellectual
Capital, Global Psychological Capital and Global Social Capital (Javidan &
Bowen, 2015). Each capital consitsts of three dimensions, in Global
Intellectual Capital (GIC), the cognitive side of a global mindset, the
dimensions include Global business savvy, Cosmopolitan outlook, and
Cognitive complexity; In Global Psychological Capital (GPC), the
affective or emotional companent of a global mindset, the dimensions are
Being curious about differences, A willingness to embrace adventure,
and Being self-assured. And in Global Social Capital (GSC), the
behavioural aspect of a global mindset, which enables an ability to build
trusting relationships with people from around the world, consists of three
blocks,

Inter-cultural

empathy,

Diplomacy,

and

Interpersonal

impact. I believe, GMI can help potential global leaders to shape

themselves as global leaders. The diagram below shows the GMI in an
illustrated form.

Figure 1 Global Mindset Inventory (GMI)

References
Gore, A. (2013). The Future. New York: The Random House Publishing
Group.
Javidan , M., & Bowen, D. (2015). The Global Mindset: A New Source of
Competitive Advantage. Rotman Management, pp. 43-47.